Thunder Bay to Toronto US visa application guide

Just got back from Toronto, passed the visa interview smoothly, it was very simple.

1. Fill out the DS-160 form https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ and select Tourism/medical treatment as the purpose for B2 (if it's a tourist visa). For the U.S. address, you can choose any luxury hotel, and the contact person can also be the hotel. It's recommended to say you're traveling to New York. Finally, upload a photo and you're done.
After submitting the form, the system will give you a confirmation page that you can save as a PDF.

2. After filling out the form, schedule the visa interview at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/
You'll need to register a new account, and make sure the information matches your DS-160 form exactly.
The general process: register an account > choose how to receive your passport after the interview (pick up in person / authorized pickup / mail) > pay the $185 USD visa fee > choose the embassy location and time for the interview.

The U.S. embassies where you can apply are in Toronto | Ottawa | Quebec | Montreal | Vancouver | Calgary | Halifax. See here for specific addresses/phone numbers. You can choose any one, regardless of where you live, and you can change it for free multiple times later.
By default, the interview is scheduled about a year out, but after booking, you can refresh the booking page daily, and there's a good chance you can reschedule to a date/location within six months to a year. It's also fine if the final interview location doesn't match the embassy you selected on the DS-160 (if you're extra cautious, you can fill out a new DS-160 after deciding on the final interview location and email the embassy to explain).
If you need help with the U.S. visa process, leave a comment below with a 1.

Documents needed for the interview:

- Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months)
- Printed confirmation page from the DS-160
- Printed appointment information letter from the interview booking
- One 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) photo with a white background
- Canadian ID, such as a study permit, work permit, or PR card

The following are optional and usually not checked:
- Bank statements from the last 6 months (just enough balance to cover the trip)
- If you're a student, you can provide an Enrollment Letter (transcripts, etc. are not looked at)
- If you're employed, you can provide an Employment Letter (if you have bank statements, you don't need tax forms)

On the day of the interview:
- The embassy does not allow electronic devices or backpacks inside (car keys are okay). Usually, nearby supermarkets or small shops offer paid storage (e.g., Koffie coffee shop across from the Vancouver embassy, $8 CAD; Convenience Locker Storage next to the Toronto embassy, $10 CAD)
- Documents/materials should be in a clear file folder
- Interview process: line up > enter the embassy > security check/document verification > record personal info & fingerprints > interview, and you'll be told the result on the spot > passport is taken for visa stamping. The whole process takes about 1-1.5 hours, but the actual interview is only 1-3 minutes.
- The interview questions mainly verify that your answers on-site match what you put on the DS-160.

You'll know the result at the interview. If approved, your passport will be kept to have the visa sticker placed. Good luck to everyone getting their U.S. visa!